Overview
- Gov. Spencer Cox announced the 30-day drought emergency on Thursday at Little Dell Reservoir to unlock emergency resources and centralize the state's response.
- The order activates the state's emergency operations plan, directs the drought response committee to assess needs and recommend actions, and requires agencies to use the Utah Division of Water Resources' weekly water guide.
- Nearly 95% of Utah is now in severe drought or worse with more than 60% in extreme or exceptional drought, soil moisture hit record lows for mid-May, and only about 5% of peak snowpack remains to melt.
- Farmers and ranchers already have federal help after the USDA issued a natural disaster designation in April for most of the state, and Cox issued a separate freeze-related emergency last week for 10 counties with crop losses.
- The declaration urges local water suppliers, irrigation companies and cities to adopt water-conservation measures and restriction plans, can be extended by the Legislature, and signals heightened risk to municipal supplies and agriculture this summer.